Health in a Heartbeat

If you have chronic low back pain, you can count yourself as part of the in-crowd. Nearly 80 percent of us contend with it, especially as adults. There are a number of ways to address the pain, and one of the newer methods involves a class of drugs known as gabapentinoids,(gabba-PEN-tin-oids) which have been shown […]

What if a medicated skin patch could dissolve those pesky love handles? Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center and the University of North Carolina believe that nanotechnology may one day be the answer. Using a small patch that delivered a fat-shrinking drug via microneedles, the team said that, in a mouse model, they successfully converted […]

Study looks at possible connection between marijuana and kidney function Marijuana use throughout the United States is spreading rapidly, and the world of science is taking notice. In the first study of its kind, researchers examined the relationship between marijuana and kidney function in healthy young adults. Previous studies solely focused on animals, but the […]

Playing a few rounds of golf, bowling, dancing or enjoying any of a number of leisure-time activities later in life may help you live longer. That’s the message in a recent study by a University of Florida scientist and researchers from across the nation. It found that older women who exercised in leisure activities biologically […]

Are you prone to pouring an evening cocktail or after-dinner glass of wine? There might be a switch to shut down that impulse, according to researchers from the University of Adelaide. The scientists, studying mice, found a link between blocking a certain receptor in the brain and eliminating the impulse to drink — specifically after […]

Each year, tens of thousands of children in the United States undergo surgeries for heart problems, scoliosis and bone disorders. Frequently, these procedures involve implanting medical devices that may fix the immediate problem but aren’t considered long-term solutions. That’s because the devices stay the same size while the child grows, and that usually involves more […]

We’ve all seen it in the grocery stores. Low-fat and fat-free choices are everywhere. Saturated fats — think fatty beef, lard and butter — are often associated with increased risk of heart problems. But a new study has suggested this may not be true. The study suggests moderate fat intake and eating more fruits and […]

A recent study shows that a vaccine introduced in the year 2000 has had notable success against a common childhood affliction: ear infections. Researchers at the Rochester General Hospital Research Institute followed 615 children over a decade to track how often they got ear infections after getting vaccinated. By age 3, 60 percent of the […]

The correlation between heavy-contact sports like football and rugby and concussions is well-known, but a new study out of the University of Birmingham takes it a step further by examining the sideline treatment of brain injuries. As part of the Repetitive Concussion in Sport project, researchers hope to create a fast and reliable sideline test […]

For some people, starting the day with a hearty breakfast is merely a dream. With the stress of rushing off to work and school, this important meal is often sacrificed for a few extra minutes in the morning. Even those who do eat breakfast usually grab something light, such as protein bars or shakes. But […]

Many things divide Americans these days, but there is one thing almost all of us have in common: pain. Pain affects more people in the U.S. than heart disease, cancer and diabetes combined. It’s the most common reason why people seek medical care and it take an enormous bite of the nation’s health care funding. […]

Antimicrobial resistance occurs when a strain of bacteria becomes less vulnerable to antibiotic medication that should kill it. This happens as specific strains encounter antibiotics and develop defenses against them. In some cases, the medication is no longer effective against the bacteria at all. Some bacteria resist multiple antibiotics, earning them the nickname “superbugs.” A […]

We all talk to ourselves. And when we do, it’s usually in the first person. “What do I want to eat tonight?” or “I really aced that math exam.” People might think it a little odd if that inner dialogue was in the third person. “Robert is going to eat a juicy cheeseburger tonight.” Sounds […]

It’s legal, drug-free and provides a jolt of energy. Indeed, snorting chocolate is the newest “sugar high.” Coco Loko, a chocolate powder mixed with other ingredients usually found in energy drinks, hit the shelves in mid-summer. It gives an energy boost that lasts 30 minutes to an hour. Think of it as an endorphin rush […]

For many people, it’s a familiar experience: The dull ache in the muscles across your back or a sharp spasm. But what if a couple taps on some high-tech underwear could help alleviate the stress of back pain? An engineering team from Vanderbilt University has developed what they’ve dubbed a smart mechanized undergarment. The team […]